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Information Database Bank (IDB)
A web / mobile enabled library, where businesses with no online presence can enjoy the opportunities ICT have to offer (Digital Inclusion)
Most business owners in Nigeria can't afford smartphone, that is why we provided a solution, with the use of short message services (SMS)
Define three specific objectives that you would like to achieve with your proposal.
1) To establish a unique Offline Assistance Service (OAS) for none smartphone users
2)To establish a standard library of businesses based on demographic locations (IDB)
3)To provid a dedicated USSD CODE for the above concept.
What problems (particularly in value chain competitiveness and global disruption) are your community’s stakeholders facing due to the Covid-19 pandemic?
Problem Statement 1;- Due to Covid-19 pandemic, people like Lukas needs a way to buy food and other households items, but the petty business owners who sells food items in the market brought their goods to the house. (Perishables).
How do we help Lukas solve the problem of connecting him the "customers" to the business owner, Who's shop use to be known in the market, but now have to be in a new Demographic Location? (Home)
Problem Statement 2;- Google has a free website builder for business owners to lunch and advertise their goods and services, How do we help them achieve this with the following challenges
1) High cost of device (Smartphon)
2) High cost of internet bundle (Data),
3) Too many applications that drains battery life,
4) Poor power supply,
5) limited resources, time and lack technical know how to use the platform
Problem Statement 3;- Sofia Hassan in a community primary school dosn't know how to use the conventional dictionary ,(Hard copy) but is eager to learn how to use one.
According to Mr Brahima Sanou, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT). "We are living in the midts of a Digital revolution, more people are connected to the internet than ever befor, using digital device and services for work and for all aspect of their lifes", He went on further to say; this has fuelled the rise of mobile broadband, which everyday ensures the participation of more people in developing countries in the digital economy.
Further more, an online article says that Telecommunication and Information service, a sub sector of the Information Communication Technology, contributed 77% of the entire sectors contribution to the GDP overall, while 44% of mobile subscribers in Nigeria are using 3G Technology, and 4% of mobile subscribers in Nigeria are using 4G technology. with the above analysis, 53% are left as none-smartphone users which happens to be our Targeted Audience.
What minimum viable solution(s) are you proposing to address the challenge(s) in your community?
PROBLEMS COMMUNITY STACKHOLDERS ARE CURRENTLY FACING
1)High cost of devices / gadgets ( smartphone)
3) Too Manny apps that drains battery life (smartphone)
4) Poor power supply
5) Digital inclusion
6) High rate of unemployment
7) Insecurities / Terrorism (Northwest Nigeria)
8) No Geofenced parameters based on demographic locations
9) No Offline Assistant Service (OAS)
10) No USSD Web Applications / Information Database Bank (IDB)
With the help of our web / mobile library's, Information Databases Bank (IDB) we can connect customers to businesses (None smartphone) based on demographic locations. Every business owner can sign up for free based on their House address or market address using Unstructured Supplimentry service Data (USSD MESSAGE)
U-Report Nigeria is currently using that type of platform. Where you will text the word "Join " to 24453. U will then receive questions via SMS asking U about how U will like to be called, Your year of Birth? Ur Gender? Which state and LGA U are from as well as your occupation.
With this in place we can tackle the above mention challenges facing our community.
On the other hand, Google has made available for "free" their Application Programing Interface
( API) "Google Assistant" where you can type to search for word on the web. for developers to use . when linked to our Dedicated code like U-report, we can solve the problem of primary(6) pupils having access to dictionary and any online resources withing the USSD 182 alphanumeric character long
Share your story (your narrative)
On a faithful Saturday evening, I went for fellowship, at the close of the fellowship, I decided to stop by a friends house to say hi. Unfortunately for me, he was not around, I try putting a call across to him, after several attempt, he finally picked, and told me to meet him up somewhere which was four blocks away from my currently location.
1) No constant power supply
2) No access to Smartphone
3)No access to internet
After much thinking, I recall having a pop-up text message upon arriving that Demographic location, on my GSM which was not a smartphone as it were, which says welcome to our Offline Assistant Service (OAS) for information about your location press ,1 Restaurant press 2, Hotels press 3, Phone accessories press 5, for more options press 6, for Security and Emergency press 0 or simply dail *419# our customers service representative will attend to you shortly thank you. This was how I was able to handle the challenge before me.
SOLUTION
1) Geofenced parameter based on Demographic locations
2) Offline Assistance Service (OAS)
3) USSD Information Database Bank (IDB)
Please provide any additional relevant information that you would like to share.
However, having identify the endless possibilities this solution proffers, when utilized effectively, it will services a wide range of sectors, from Government agencies to private establishment such as schools, Religious institutions, Financial Institutions, businesses, Security agencies, provide a new line of employment as regards the UN sustainable development goals 8 Decent work and Economic growth, to end extreme poverty and promote digital economy readiness that will affect social condition in a sustainable way.
I encourage the international Community to be part of this move, by supporting technology governance and digital Transformation tools that will shape the economy.
They can also respond to it, by accepting the facts that this solution is here to stay for the better, by using it in their day to day activities
Dear Joseph, well done on this idea. You could also look at USSD integration on top of the SMS service. All the best.
Dear Joseph, You idea sound good but I have not understand how you want to solve the problem stated.
1) Who will house the data?
2) I believe the people do not have the business owner number, how do you make it available to them?
I think you need consider possible syncing between the phone and database using USSD.
Hi joseph, it is a wonderful idea indeed but my concern is on effinciency and conviniency. mostly business owners are busy people how will you ensure they checkup user requests and attending to them in time?. another concern is scalability, how are you strategising your innovation to scale up in future if you are still sticking to old technologies of communication? are you going to migrate ? . finally , have you done a research that can assure you 10 years from now your system will be relevant? looking at trends sooner or later the largest population to use your kind of service will surely have smartphones as they are getting cheaper and cheaper on the market. looking forward to your success story, best of luck
More like a USSD Yellow page. The yellow pages are any telephone directory of businesses, organised by category rather than alphabetically by business name, and in which advertising is sold. The directories were originally printed on yellow paper, as opposed to white pages for non-commercial listings. You could charge a token monthly subscription.
It needs a unique name something like digihello you know.
Hello Joseph. I Love the concept, but please help me understand this. What is the value of the market you are targeting? You mentioned of most Nigerian businesses not having smart phones, how do you position your business in future considering the high rate of digital revolution in Africa, possibly 5-7 years from now 70% of cities population and businesses in Africa will have smart phones ?
Dear Joseph, a very interesting idea. I was wondering if there exists statistics backing up your statements regarding the percentage of phone usage. Similarly, have you researched existing solutions to solve this problem? What are your competitors?
Very often, understanding the customers better is by performing multiple interviews. Have you performed such interviews and how did you understand that this is what the business owners need?
I also liked the "Lukas" story. I think this helps to grasp the idea better.
Best of luck with your idea!
Hello friend
Ive got a little tip that helped me on my idea generatuon and development
To add to your solution, I am sharing with you questions from one of our trainings that can help in refining our ideas and projects
What business model will you follow to implement this idea?
What methodology or strategy will you use during different processes of implementing this idea?
Which are the processes you have to go through until the finalization of the idea?
What means or tools do you need to implement my idea?
Which are your potential collaborators, investors?
I honestly suggest that before you submit your idea or project, please and ask yourself these questions and even if you have submitted their project, do remember that we still have opportunity to refine our ideas and resubmit. I hope that you find this useful.
I would greatly appreciate if you would support my idwa and comment your opinion
Have a great day
Hi Joseph,
Good idea. What is the difference between your SMS service provider and the other SMS services for business owners in Nigeria? Have a look at your goal 3, and possibly add something on your USSD concept, what are the benefits of you having USSD concept?
I very much like the idea to actually convert a search to USSD or SMS but by not reinventing the weel but intelligently use the many Google APIs providing you all relevant information needed. Now think of adding the Google TensorFlow AI engine which understands unsers intend and lead you to be test answer.
The idea is nice, though you could elaborate more onwhich Cyber security Technology your considering to use due to people data being sensitive now. In addition to that how is it sustainability.
Hope this helps you to refine your idea.
All the best.
DearJoseph,
I think it is a great idea for the rural population all over the world that do not have a smartphone or that live in places with 2G-only coverage or very expensive 3G/4G internet plans. Your keep-it-simple approach is noteworthy.
Could you please elaborate on what is specifically your proposal? From the first paragraph of the "additional relevant information" section, it seems to me that your proposal is to develop the platform and sell it to third parties (Government agencies, private establishment such as schools, Religious institutions, Financial Institutions, businesses, Security agencies) to provide their services. Am I correct?
Could you please elaborate on this issue and on the business/sustainability model?
Thanks and my best wishes for your project
Hello Joseph
Great Idea this is very much needed especially in the interior areas.
Kindly elaborates, is your system working as a "middle man" kind of transaction with finance companies and assistance .Also elaborate how API's will be used and what role they will be used in the assistance for the users as you have partially highlighted.
Good Luck,
Best Regards.
simply beautiful. have a look at USSD as well. and check blu network. they have an interesting content hub for this https://blu.network/
Hi Joseph, for location based service, have you thought about API integration with what3words ? https://what3words.com/crashing.mops.seriously
In the meantime, you may want to have a look at our idea and vote for it if yo like it: https://cocreate.itu.int/post/3496670
Hi Joseph, awesome idea. How do you plan on sustaining your business. What are your revenue model? What is your unique value proposition that differentiates you from what is already on the market? Keep pushing all the best
Dear Joseph,
I must confess you have a great idea. What is the unique thing you ideal want to solve.
PS: Please like or give advice to my project https://cocreate.itu.int/post/3488310
Hello everyone, thanks for your participation also, honest feedback. I will like to know if anyone is open for partnership. I want to broaden this database (IDB int.) Where one can search for Information anywhere in the world.
But first I will need the cooperation of individuals in those countries that will like this concept to be made available for them. Please feel free to contact me as we verge Into that power of Networking thank you.
Hi Joseph, How will you handle privacy issues?